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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

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Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: row · mate · bear · mouse · cue · coach · pitch · suit

  1. Is the royal ________________ prepared for the journey?
  2. Have you met the new head ________________?
  3. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  4. You can't play pool without a ________________ stick.
  5. We had to ________________ the boat across the lake.
  6. Males and females first ________________ when two years old.
  7. The ________________ told me I needed to practice harder.
  8. The little girl was crying for the teddy ________________.
  9. When I cough twice, that's your ________________ to come into the room.
  10. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  11. Have you found your soul ________________?
  12. The players ran onto the football ________________.
  13. A black ________________ roamed the forest.
  14. I had a ________________ with my boss today.
  15. Positive actions can inspire others to follow ________________.
  16. Many happy returns to all who ________________ the name of a flower!
  17. The room was ________________ black, so I couldn't see a thing.
  18. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  19. The cuffs of his ________________ jacket are badly frayed.
  20. Excuse me, sorry ________________, you haven't got the time have you?
  21. When will it ________________ you to start?
  22. I'll take my ________________ from you.
  23. She's preparing to ________________ her idea to the investors.
  24. The girl drawing a picture in the first ________________ is my niece.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. coach — pulled by horses
  2. coach — a trainer
  3. mouse — the animal
  4. cue — for pool
  5. row — to paddle
  6. mate — to breed
  7. coach — a trainer
  8. bear — the animal
  9. cue — a signal
  10. mouse — the animal
  11. mate — a partner
  12. pitch — a sports field
  13. bear — the animal
  14. row — a quarrel
  15. suit — in cards
  16. bear — to put up with
  17. pitch — completely
  18. mouse — for a computer
  19. suit — clothes
  20. mate — a friend
  21. suit — to fit
  22. cue — a hint
  23. pitch — a sales talk
  24. row — a line

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com